The Foreign Service Journal, December 2010

58 F OR E I GN S E R V I C E J OU R N A L / DE C EMB E R 2 0 1 0 A F S A N E W S N kechi Ekwunife is no stranger to the Foreign Service or living abroad. She spent her high school years in Nigeria, away from her family in Los Angeles, calling it the best decision she could have possibly made. In 2009, she had a “transformative experience” intern- ing at the U.S. embassy inOuagadougou. And this past summer, as the AFSA/ Thursday Luncheon Group minority intern, sheworked for theBureauof South andCentralAsianAffairs at theDepartment of State. SCA, which coordinates U.S. policy in some of the world’s busiest political hot spots, such as Pakistan and Afghanistan, has hosted the AFSA/TLG minority intern for the past three years. This year they employed Ekwunife, a recent grad- uate of Notre Dame University, in the Office of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan andMaldives Affairs, where she immersed herself in work immediately. Ekwunife’s direct supervisor, Deputy OfficeDirector Thomas Palaia, found her to be an outstanding addition to the staff and could not praise her contributions highly enough. “She has set the bar very high for next year’s intern,” Palaia said. Ekwunife left the office having made themost of her internship. Shemet both Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton and President Barack Obama during her threemonths inWashington, and said she was most proud of her work on the U.S.- India Strategic Dialogue. When it comes to smooth transitions, Ekwunife is already as seasoned as any Foreign Service officer: Her last day at State coincidedwith her departure for St. Louis, where she began her first year at the Washington University of St. Louis Law School in August. Ekwunife’s SCA colleagues expect great things from her in the future, and AFSA hopes she will continue to consid- er the Foreign Service as her career path. AFSAwould like to thank theThursday Luncheon Group for their continued sponsorship of this internship program. Particular appreciation goes to Ambass- ador Pamela Bridgewater, the outgoing TLGpresident, and StacyD.Williams, the TLG vice president. We look forward to continuing this worthy program. ❏ AFSA Continues Its Minority Internship Program BY ASGEIR SIGFUSSON, OUTREACH/MARKETING MANAGER When it comes to smooth transitions, Ekwunife is already as seasoned as any Foreign Service officer. have taken a stand over the past year and nominate them for one of theseprestigious awards. In the short time it takes towrite anom- ination, you can uphold the best traditions of our Service—what some have called “the highest form of patriotism.” Dissent awards are offered in four categories. They may be awarded for speaking out within channels on either foreign pol- icy or management/personnel issues: The F. Allen “Tex” Harris Award for a Foreign Service Specialist The W. Averell Harriman Award for an entry-level officer (FS 6–FS 4) The WilliamR. Rivkin Award for a mid-level officer (FS 3– FS 1) The Christian A. Herter Award for a member of the Senior Foreign Service (FE OC–FE CA) EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE AFSA also offers four annual awards for exemplaryperformance of assigned or voluntary duties at an overseas post that constitutes an extraordinary contribution to effectiveness, professionalismand morale. These awards recognize diplomats and family members who have gone well above and beyond their official duties. They are: AFSAPostRepresentativeof theYear , whichhonors theAFSA post rep who has beenmost effective, most visible andmost ded- icated to serving AFSA members at post. The DelavanAward, for a Foreign ServiceOfficeManagement Specialist who hasmade a significant contribution to post or office effectiveness and morale beyond the framework of his or her job responsibilities. The M. JuanitaGuessAward , for aCommunity LiaisonOfficer who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, dedication, initia- tive or imagination in assisting the families of Americans serving at an overseas post. The Avis BohlenAward , for a Foreign Service Eligible Family Member whose relations with the American and foreign com- munities at post have done the most to advance the interests of the United States. NOMINATION PROCEDURES Details onnominationprocedures and guidelines canbe found at www.afsa.org/awards. The deadline for submitting nominations is Feb. 28, 2011. The AFSA Awards and Plaques Committee, chaired by Ambassador John Limbert, reviews and vets all nominations. Any questionsmay be directed toPerri Green, Coordinator for Special Awards andOutreach, at green@afsa.org or (202) 338-4045, ext. 521. ❏ Dissent • Continued from page 51